About Us

Cao Chocolates was established in Miami in 2009 for two Venezuelans, Ricardo Trillos and Anelith Ortega. Like other small businesses in Miami, we started our factory in a commercial kitchen until we set our own factory and retail in Pinecrest/Dadeland in 2012. In our factory we make Miami bean-to-bar chocolate (our raw material) using only two (2) ingredients: Cacao and sugar. The cacao beans are sourced from fair-traded farms around the world. Countries like Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Tanzania, Ecuador, Madagascar, and many more. We work directly with the farmers to obtain high quality cacao beans that turn into an unique chocolate bar. Why? Because the key of a good chocolate is the fermentation process and that is the farmer’s job. After we make chocolate, that is also single origin, we mold the bars and use the same chocolate to create truffles, bonbons and many other confections like gingerettes, mendiants, bake goods, orangettes and many more.

As pioneers in the city in the bean-to-bar chocolate scene, we dedicate a big part of our time to educate the consumer. Why? Because consumers need to understand the different between a commercial low price and quality chocolate bar and a single origin, two ingredients, crafted Bean-to-bar chocolate bar. How? We have chocolate tasting at our store every week, we give classes, and we are always educating ourselves to bring new information to our customers.

Since 2009 we have been part of different business organizations like Doral Business Council and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. From the last one, we had received several recognitions through the years: “2013 Diamond of the rough”, “2015 Overall Rising Star Award”, “Family-Owned business 2017 Diamond Award”. Also, have been featured in different media channels as NBC, WSVN, Miami New Times, Telemundo, Miami local magazines and more. In 2015, AP Agency used Cao Chocolates image for St. Valentine's Day coverage around the world.

In 2013, Cao Chocolates was featured as the only Florida business to be part of the American Express Shop Small campaign, and since then we became Neighborhood Champion for American Express Small Business Saturday Campaign of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017. We can proudly say that we are changing Miami’s mindset about growing and supporting local businesses focusing on explaining the importance of shopping local.

In February 10th, 2017 Ricardo Trillos was invited by Food Network to participate as a contestant at Guy's Groceries Games "Chocolate games" episode. He used his experience to cook savory dishes using chocolate as main ingredient. An unique experience sharing knowledge with other chefs that won't be the last one.

But the journey continues because it is only the beginning and we are committed to keep learning, experimenting with beans of new origins, creating new recipes, and making Miami proud as we represent our city in different festivals and conventions nationwide. But most important, we will continue to teaching our customers about the importance of enjoying a real chocolate. Let’s enjoy this sweet journey together!

Mr. Bruce Chesney, owner of Patch of Heaven Sanctuary started growing cacao several years ago. We created a partnership with him to make chocolate from that cacao. Over 200 trees are already planted and giving fruits and the current project is to plant 5000 more.

To understand all the buzz, it is good to be emphatic that Cacao trees shouldn’t grow here in Miami, but is happening. Historically, Cacao trees only grow 20 degrees under and below the equator line. Miami is located at 27 degrees. With that said, we can proudly say that we are the ONLY chocolate business in the US mainland making chocolate with American Cacao. The first batch of chocolate was made, and the result was very interesting. This chocolate is very fruity with some notes of Mangoes. Trees are recovering right now after Hurricane Irma, for that reason the crop of the season was very short.

Edible South Florida wrote a very interesting article about the job we are doing in Patch of Heaven Sanctuary. Take a look here: